Automated corn popper

ABSTRACT

An automated batch popcorn popper includes a tiltable kettle actuated by a motor drive controlled to operate in a single batch and automatic dump process. An operator fills the kettle with popping corn and oil and initiates a timer which, controls popping and automatically dumps the popped popcorn into the popper cabinet. This eliminates burnt batches, and the need for constant operator attention while increasing production. Apparatus and methods are disclosed.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/345,303,filed Nov. 28, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,830.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to popcorn popping and more particularly to thepopping of popcorn in consecutive batches.

In the past, concessionaires have popped corn in integrated machinescontaining a tippable, heated kettle with a driven rotor and hinged top.The kettle is mounted in a transparent sided cabinet. When the popcornis cooked, the operator manipulates a handle to tip the kettle and dumpthe popcorn. He then reloads the kettle with additional popping oil andunpopped corn for another cooking and manual dumping cycle in order tokeep up with the demand for popcorn from the cabinet.

While such machines are useful, the operator's constant attention isrequired in order to prevent, for example, the undesirable result ofburning or overcooking the corn. The aroma of burnt popcorn is notattractive and decreases sales. Also, burnt popcorn makes the kettlehard to clean.

The nature of the concessionaires' duties is not conducive to theconstant attention required to the popping operation. For example, hisattention is typically diverted to servicing customers for poppedpopcorn or other products, making change and numerous other activities.Meanwhile, the hot kettle is popping the corn and can burn it quicklywith little notice to the operator. Once the corn is burnt, there is noeasy way to clean up the resultant mess. The kettle is hot and takessome time to cool, and dumping the burnt corn contaminates the otherwarmed popcorn in the cabinet. Moreover, there can be delays betweenpopping cycles due to lack of immediate attention to the corn popping,the operator delaying the start of another cycle until he has anundisturbed period to handle it. This interrupts and reduces productionrates.

Accordingly, it has been one objective of this invention to provideapparatus and/or methods for popping popcorn in consecutive batcheswithout burning the popcorn.

A further objective of the invention has been to provide improved cornpopping apparatus and/or methods.

A further objective of the invention has been to provide improved kettlehandling apparatus in a corn popping apparatus.

A further objective of the invention has been to provide improvedapparatus for popping popcorn batches at increased production rates.

A further objection of the invention has been to provide apparatus forpopping sequential batches of popcorn without requiring constantoperator attention during the popping cycles.

A still further objective of the invention has been to provide apparatusand methods for decreasing the time periods between operating cycles ofa popcorn popper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To these ends, a preferred embodiment of the invention includes aheated, tiltable popping kettle operatively coupled to a motor formechanically, as opposed to manually, dumping the kettle. A motorcontrol is provided to allow a preset cook time and to automaticallyoperate the motor to twice tilt and dump the kettle without humanoperator input, and to insure a complete dump, thus avoiding inadvertentburning or overcooking. Since the cook and dump cycles are timed,production is increased. An operator must no longer await for a timeperiod when he can watch over the cooking process.

Preferably, the motor is controlled to dump the kettle twice to insurecomplete dumping. After the first dump, the kettle is only partiallyreturned toward a cooking or popping position. It is then dumped againbefore fully returning to a popping position.

A controller, solid state or mechanical, controls the cooking and dumpcycles and is automatically reset, if power is interrupted, along withthe kettle to avoid subsequent loading or corn and oil in mid-cycle.

The kettle is hung from a drive housing and has a boss rotatablyreceived in a drive housing socket for supporting the kettle. A drivendrive stub engages the boss to tilt it, or return it, upon motorrotation in a respective direction. A flexible spring-like hangersupports the opposite side of the kettle from the drive boss, serving tourge the kettle boss into the socket, and yielding for kettle removalonce the kettle is partially rotated to align the drive stub fordecoupling from the boss. Kettle removal for cleaning is thusfacilitated.

Accordingly, the cooking and dumping of popcorn is automated and nolonger requires direct or constant supervision to avoid burning.Production of consistently popped corn is enhanced and production ratesimproved.

It is only necessary for an operator, between batches, to load thekettle with corn and oil and initiate the cycle time, upon which corn isautomatically and consistently popped and dumped from batch to batch.

These and other objectives and advantages will become readily apparentfrom the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention and from the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a popcorn machine according to theinvention;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the top of the popcorn machine of FIG.1;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a popcorn popping kettle as seen online 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the kettlein a full dump position;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram of the cam controller according to theinvention;

FIG. 5A is a diagrammatic view illustrating control features andcircuitry according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the camcontroller and dump and return control switches; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the kettleremoved.

Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 an automated cornpopper 10 according to the invention. It will be appreciated that thepopper is operable to cook or to pop popcorn and is particularly usefulfor cooking batches of popcorn for sale for use by concessionaires atmovie theaters, sport events, fairs and the like.

The corn popper 10 includes a cabinet having two sidewalls 11, 12, arear wall 13, and front wall 14. Front wall 14 may comprise two doors15, 16, which can be opened to gain access, both to the popped corn inthe bottom of the cabinet and to the kettle 18. Sidewalls 11, 12 andrear wall 13, as well as the front wall 14 including doors 15, 16, areall made preferably of transparent glass or plastic material so that theinterior of the cabinet can be viewed from the exterior.

The popping kettle 18 is of any suitable variety having a heater (notshown) interconnected by a power cord 19 to a power plug 20 mountedinside on the top 21 of the cabinet. It will be appreciated that thekettle is tiltable about a tilt axis 22 (FIG. 2) and is provided withcovers 23 and 24 which are pivoted on the kettle. When the corn ispopped, it can push these covers open and fall out the sides of thekettle. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the cover 23 is locatedover a so-called "dump section" or side of the kettle 18. When thekettle is tilted, this cover pivots open to facilitate dumping.

The kettle includes an internal agitator, stir blade or rotor (notshown) driven by a rotor drive shaft 26 having an upper pilot end 27 anda drive gear 28 thereon. When the kettle is in a cooking position asshown in FIG. 1, the upper pilot end 27 of the rotor drive shaft 26 islocated in a socket 31 defined in a rotor drive housing 32 and mountingthe drive shaft 33 and the drive gear 34. The drive gear 34 intermesheswith the drive gear 28 on the upper pilot end 27 of the rotor driveshaft 26 to drive the rotor within the kettle to promote popping.

The kettle is mounted in the cabinet of the popper 10 by way of a drivehousing 40 and a spring-like hanger bracket 41. The spring-like hangerbracket 41 includes an L-shaped bracket having a foot 42 forinterconnection to the top 21 of the cabinet. The depending flat springleg 43 is provided with an aperture or slot 44, as will be furtherdescribed.

On the other side of the kettle, the drive housing 40 houses the driveshaft 48, which is provided with a worm gear 49 on the bottom endthereof. A drive stub shaft 50 is provided with a gear 51 forintermeshing with the worm gear 49. The opposite end of the drive stubshaft 50 is provided with a drive stub 52 disposed in a socket 53 of thedrive housing 40. The upper end of the drive housing 40 is provided witha mounting foot 54 for securing the drive housing 40 to the top 21 ofthe cabinet of the popper 10. In addition, it will be appreciated thatthe drive shaft 48 can be a one-piece drive shaft or it can be coupledthrough a coupling 55 to the depending drive shaft 56 of a tilt motor 58(FIGS. 1 and 1A). Drive shaft 48 is journaled in a blind bore 45 locatedin an externally threaded bushing 46 in the bottom of housing 40 (FIG.3). This prevents lubricants from leaking into the popped pop corn.

The kettle 18 is provided with a drive boss 60 and a hanger boss 61. Thedrive boss 60 is provided with a slot 62 for receiving the drive stub52, supported by the drive housing 40. The hanger boss 61 extends fromthe other side of the kettle with respect to the drive boss 60 and isprovided with a groove 63 for receiving the depending leg 43 of thehanger bracket 41. In this regard, the groove 63 fits within a socket oraperture 44 of the hanger bracket 41 so that the kettle can be rotatedabout the pivot axis 22. At the other drive side of the kettle, thedrive boss 60 resides in the socket 53, defined by the drive housing 40,so that the drive boss 60 can rotate in that socket. It will beappreciated that the socket has an opening 64 for accommodating radialmovement of the drive boss 60 with respect to the socket and to thedrive stub 52 when the drive stub 52 and the recess 62 in the drive boss60 are aligned with the opening 64 to permit the drive boss to be movedoutwardly of the socket.

Alternatively, the kettle could be supported in a cantilevered fashiononly by the drive boss or other supporting apparatus as will beappreciated.

Turning now momentarily to FIG. 1A, there is shown a perspective view ofthe top of the popper 10 showing various components of the poppermounted outside the cabinet on the top 21 thereof. As shown in FIG. 1A,the tilt motor 58 is mounted on the top 21, such that drive shaft 56extends downwardly through the top 21 and into the drive housing 40(FIG. 3). A rotor drive motor 68 is also positioned on the top 21 sothat its drive shaft 33 extends downwardly through the top 21 andthrough the housing 32 for interconnection with the drive gear 34. Atimer 70 is positioned preferably on the top 21 as shown, as well as acam controller 75, other various switches, warming lights and fans aswell as various circuitry. Timer 70 is preferably a solid state timercapable of timing a popping or cooking cycle of about 3 minutes or soand then initiating a power signal, responsive to completion of thepreset time period, for a relative short duration of a few seconds. Onesuch suitable timer is a multi-mode time delay relay available from SSACof Baldwinsville, N.Y. under its series designation, TRDU series. Anysuitable timer can be used. Terminal blocks, as necessary, can also bemounted on the top. An audible signal generator such as a buzzer 76 isalso mounted on the top 21.

Turning now to FIG. 5A, there is shown therein a cam and control circuitschematic illustration of the controller 75, together with otherfeatures of the invention as noted. The controller 75 can be anysuitable form of controller which would provide the function andoperation of the invention as is described herein. Accordingly, thecontroller could be a solid state electronic controller or any otherform of suitable controller. For purposes of illustration only,applicant has described herein one form of cam-type controller which hasbeen found suitable for use in connection with this invention. This camcontroller is purchased from the American Control Products Division ofPrecision Timer Co., Inc. of West Burke, Conn. under its model no.130-4W2/15SD6, with respective cams therein according to the followingdescription. In particular, such a cam controller 75 includes acontroller motor 78 and four cams. These cams are mounted on a shaft 84driven by motor 78.

Operatively positioned proximate each of the cams 80-83 is an associatedswitch, such as master switch 85, dump switch 86, return switch 87 andbuzzer switch 88. Each such switch has a normally open and a normallyclosed position as will be appreciated.

A manually operated master power switch 90 is provided as shown in FIG.5A. Switch 90 is a double throw, triple pole switch having momentarypower in one contact ("jog") position, a center off position,and amaintained contact in another or "master on" position. One side of thisswitch 90 is connected through line 91 to a power source contact P. Thisswitch has three contact arms 90a, 90b and 90c each of which have threepositions indicated by the solid and dotted lines as shown.

Timer 70 is selectively connected between switch 90 and power source Pthrough lines 92 and 92a. Also, normally open timer start switch 71 isconnected serially in line 92b between power line 91 and the timer.

Master power switch 90 is selectively connectable to three output lines,93, 94 and 95. Output line 93 comprises a common power output lineenergized when switch 90 is turned on for normal operation. A normallyopen relay switch 96 is interconnected for closing upon application ofelectrical power to relay 96 in order to power up, through line 97, akettle heater 98. Electrical power to line 97 through switch 96 isobtained through lines 99 and 100 from a power source contact P. Line 94provides selective power to the motor 78 of the cam. Controller 75 andline 95 is used selectively to provide power to cam motor 78 as will bedescribed.

Switch 90 is a three position switch having a center "off" position inwhich no electrical power is transmitted through the switch. The movableswitch contacts can be moved up, as shown in FIG. 5A, into a second or"jog" position and manually held there. The switch is spring loaded toautomatically move back to its center "off" position when manualpressure is released. A third switch position is an "on" position wherethe switch contacts are moved down to a maintaned contact as shown inthe lower dotted lines in FIG. 5A.

Each of the switches 85, 86, 87 and 88 are connected to a common powerline 93, for energization through master switch 90 when in its "on" ordown position, through respective lines 101, 102, 103 and 104.

Dump or tilt motor 58 is selectively powered to rotate in a tilt or dumpdirection through power line 105 and to rotate in a return directionthrough power line 106 when the respective switches 86 or 87 are closed,as will be described.

Cam motor 78 is energized through power line 107 when switch 85 isclosed by master cam 80 as will be explained.

A buzzer relay switch 110 is selectively energized by switch 88 throughline 111. This closes both sets of N.O. contacts in relay 110. Thebuzzer is initiated through line 112, buzzer stop switch 113, line 114and line 115. Once cam 83 rotates detent D₂ past arm 88a, switch 88opens and the relay stays closed via the upper latching contact set.Buzzer stop switch 113 is spring loaded to a normally closed position,but can be pushed at any time to disconnect and stop buzzer 76 frompower source contact P.

OPERATION

Operation of the preferred embodiment will now be described.

Reference to both FIGS. 5A and 6 will be helpful. In FIG. 6 thecross-sectioned areas indicate duration of switch closures as will beexplained. Also, the cam detent positions A₁ -A₂, B₁ -B₄, C₁ -C₄, D₁ -D₂as shown in FIG. 5A are applied to FIG. 6 for clarity. Finally, it willbe appreciated that the full cook and dump cycle lasts about 31/2minutes or 210 seconds. Operations herein are sometimes referred to atparticular seconds.

It will also be appreciated that the duration of the switch operation bythe cams 80-83 are a function of the rotational speeds of the shaft 84and the cams thereon as well as the relative angular orientation of thedetent position.

When it is desired to run the apparatus, the master power switch 90 isturned on. This conducts power to common power line 93 and to relayswitch 96 which closes to conduct power through lines 100, 99 and 97 tothe kettle heater. Assuming cam 80 is in its zero position, switch 85 isopen and no power is available to cam motor 78. Specifically, no poweris available to line 107 and motor 78 through contact arm 90a, contactb, and line 94 since there is no power pulse through line 92 and timer70.

AUTOMATIC RESET

If the apparatus was left in any other position than a start or zeroposition, arm 85a will be up on cam 80 and not in the detent. This willhave closed switch 85, thus conducting power to cam controller motor 78through lines 91, 93, 101 and 107. This will cause cam motor 78 to runthrough the remainder of its cycle until the arm 85a falls into camdetent A₁ -A₂, disconnecting the cam motor 78.

Thus, the apparatus including the kettle and its cycle control willalways reset whenever power is reapplied to the apparatus after anypower failure or master switch off condition.

NORMAL START

Assuming, however, that the cam 80 and the other cams 81, 82 and 83 arein their zero or start positions as illustrated in FIG. 5A, once powerturns on, the kettle heats but nothing else happens since switch 85 isopen and no power is available to line 107. At this point, contact arm90a has moved to contact c in switch 90 but line 94 is not powered sinceno power is conducted into line 92 by timer 70.

The operator then fills kettle 18 with popcorn and oil and depressestimer start switch 71. This causes timer 70 to start timing.

1ST DUMP

After a timed cooking duration, of about 180 seconds, a power pulse ofshort duration (i.e. from 180 seconds to 182 seconds in FIG. 6) isinitiated by timer 70 through lines 92, contact arm 90a, contact b line94 and line 107 to cam motor 78. This initially rotates shaft 84 turningcam 80 and detent position A₂ past arm 85a closing switch 85. Power tocam motor 78 is then through line 91, contact arm 90c, line 93, line 101switch 85 and line 107, whereupon the cam motor 78 continues to run forthe full dump cycle. No more power is available to motor 78 through line94 since the timer initiation pulse is of short duration (FIG. 6). Oncetimer 70 times out and starts motor 78, detent B₁ on cam 81 reaches arm86a (at about 182 seconds). Switch 86 closes to energize dump motor 58through lines 105 to tilt and rotate kettle 18 to a full dump position.When detent B₂ reaches arm 86a at about second 188, switch 86 opens,stopping motor 58. This results in a dump motor run of about 6 seconds'duration.

1ST RETURN (PARTIAL)

To allow motor 58 to stop, there is a short delay, due to the respectiveangular orientation of detent position B₂ to detent position C₁ on cam82. Once position C₁ moves into arm 87a, it falls into detent C₁ -C₂ (atabout second 189). This closes switch 87 and reverses motor 58 throughlines 93, 103 and 106 to partially return kettle 18 to a partially butnot fully return position. When detent position C₂ passes arm 87a, atabout second 193, switch 87 is opened, stopping motor 58. Thus, motor 58is run only about 4 seconds to partially return kettle 18 to a cookingposition. This partial return is obvious to the operator and preventshim from believing the kettle is in a zero or start position. So theoperator is not misled and will not prematurely load popcorn and oilinto the kettle.

2ND DUMP

After another short duration due to the respective angular orientationof detent position C₂ on cam 82 and B₃ on cam 81, the arm 86a falls pastdetent position B₃ at about second 196, to again close switch 86 andenergize dump motor 58 through lines 105.

After a duration of about 4 seconds from about second 196 to second 200,detent position B₄ rotates past arm 86a opening switch 86 and stoppingmotor 58.

FINAL FULL RETURN

After a further delay of about 3 seconds from second 200 to second 203,cam 82 has now rotated detent position C₃ past arm 87a which closesswitch 87 and powers motor 58 through line 106 to fully return thekettle 18 to a cooking position. As cam 82 rotates detent position C₄past arm 87a at about second 209, switch 87 is opened to stop motor 58.

Thus, the kettle 18 is rotated to a full dump position, partiallyreturned, rotated to full dump position again and then fully returnedfor another cook cycle.

BUZZER CYCLE

It will also be appreciated that during the six second duration fromsecond 203 to about second 209, cam 83 rotates detent position D₁ pastarm 88a so that arm falls into the detent, closing switch 88 at aboutsecond 205. This energizes relay switch to close a circuit along andthrough lines 111, 112, switch 113, line 114, contact arm 110a, line116, contact arm 110b and line 115 to buzzer 76 to activate that buzzer.Also, power from source P is transmitted along line 100 both to thebuzzer and through the upper N.O. contact to buzzer stop switch. Whencam 83 rotates detent D₂ past arm 88a at about second 209, switch 88 isopened disconnecting line 111 et. seq. Nevertheless, power from line 100has latched the relay in a closed condition through the upper relaycontact N.O., closed switch 113, line 112 and the relay coil. This keepsthe buzzer going until switch 113 is manually opened by an operator.

Of course, while a particular timing sequence has been described, manyother timing sequences and durations can be used.

JOB SWITCH OPERATION

It will be appreciated that the switch 90 also provides forinstantaneous and manually controlled "jogging" or rotation motion ofthe kettle 18, such as for removal and cleaning purposes In this regard,switch 90 is manually held in its "jog" or manual position which is "up"as viewed in FIG. 5A. Contact arm 90a is connected to line 95, contactarm 90b to line 94 and contact arm 9c from power line 91 to contact e online 118. Power from line 91 is conducted thus to arm 90b, contact c,line 94 and line 107 energizing cam control motor 78 to rotate shaft 84.Power is also conducted through line 118 to line 95 and common powerline 93. As long as switch 90 is held in that position, the master cam80, dump cam 81, return cam 82 and buzzer cam 83 are rotated asexplained above and with the same effect to the rotation of kettle 18(except power to cam motor 78 is continuous through line 94). At anytime, such as when the stub 52 and recess 62 of kettle 18 is alignedwith opening 64 in socket 53, switch 90 is released, disconnecting allpower to cam motor 78 and dump motor 58, allowing the kettle 18 to beremoved for cleaning.

Once it is cleaned, the jog switch 90 can again be held up, to finishthe cycle and released at the end. Alternatively, and preferably, it maybe actuated only to allow rotation of kettle 18 to a position in whichit cannot be removed. When the switch 90 is released, the kettle isstopped.

It will be appreciated that arm 85a may still be up on cam 80. Thus, ifthe switch 90 is turned to its master "on" position (i.e. down in FIG.5A), the cam motor is powered through lines 93, 101 and 107 until switcharm 85a falls into detent A₁ -A₂ opening switch 85 and stopping cammotor 78. The controller 75 is thus reset for another full cooking anddump cycle upon operation of timer start switch 71.

Several other mechanical features of this operation will be appreciated.For example, when the tilt or dump motor 58 is operated to tilt thekettle, it will be appreciated that the upper pilot end 27 of the rotoror stir drive shaft 26 is tilted or moved outwardly from the socket 31of the rotor drive housing 32. Thereby, the gear 28 is disconnected fromthe drive gear 34 so that action of the rotor is stopped and so that therotor drive is disconnected from the rotor drive motor 68. On return, itwill be appreciated that the upper pilot end 27 of the drive shaft 26 isagain received in the socket, which serves to facilitate theintermeshing of the gears 28 and 34 for again driving the rotor withinthe kettle. Preferably, the mechanical return of the kettle from itsdump to its cooking position takes less than six seconds. A slight motoroverdrive insures it is returned to its full cooking position.

It will also be appreciated that as the tilt motor 58 is operated by thevarious switches as discussed above, the drive shaft 48 is turned torotate the worm gear 49 and thereby the gear 51. This rotates the shaft50 and drives the drive stub 52 in order to rotate the drive boss 60,which is preferably manufactured integrally with the kettle 18, therebytilting the kettle to a cooking position. At the same time, it will beappreciated that the socket 53 in the drive housing 40 serves torotatably hold the drive boss 60 therein. Since the socket opensupwardly, the force of gravity tends to hold the kettle and the driveboss 60 within the socket.

When the kettle is cleaned, as described above, switch 90 is used tomomentarily actuate the controller motor 78 and thereby the tilt motorto move the kettle 18 to a position intermediate its cooking positionand its full dumping position. In this intermediate position, the planeof the drive stub 52 is aligned with the opening 64 in the socket 53,thereby permitting the drive boss 60 of the kettle to be lifted out ofthe socket. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the jog switch90 is connected so as to function to discontinue the power to thecontroller motor, such that the drive system can be stopped at thisposition. Thereafter when the kettle is reinserted and remounted, theswitch 90 is released and the kettle operation is in mid-cycle. Cam 80,having been slightly rotated by the operation of the jog position ofmaster switch 90, maintains now the controller motor 78 in an operatingcondition until a complete cycle has been run, so that the operatornever need worry about exactly what condition or what part of the cyclethe machine is in after it has been stopped, for example, by a powerinterruption or for cleaning. Operation of jog or master switch 90 to anorm "on" (i.e. down) position automatically recycles or resets thecontroller 75 and the kettle 18 to a zero start position.

It is preferable, for example, to run the popper 10 by actuation of thetimer start switch 71 one or two cycles before loading the kettle withoil and popcorn. This allows time to make sure the kettle is heated upto popping temperature and, as well, further insure that the popper isrecycled to zero so that a complete cycle will be maintained upon thenext actuation of the cycle switch.

It will also be appreciated that, for cleaning purposes, when the driveboss is lifted out of the socket, the whole kettle can be pushed in adirection along the pivot axis 22 in the direction of the hanger bracket41. Since the hanger bracket 41 and particularly the depending leg 43thereof, is preferably manufactured like a flex spring, such as fromstainless spring steel, that bracket may flex to permit this motion bythe kettle. Of course, the drive housing and socket can be configured toprovide the sole support for the kettle 18. After the drive boss 60 hascleared the socket in which it resides, the hanger boss 61 is merelylifted out of the hanger bracket 41 so that the entire kettle can beremoved for cleaning. Of course, the kettle would also be unpluggedfrom, for example, the power plug at the top 21 of the cabinet, so thatthe whole kettle can be quickly and easily removed and cleaned.

Having described the apparatus and operation of the popper according tothe invention, it will be appreciated that if offers significantadvantages to the old manually tiltable poppers which required ratherconstant operator attention to avoid, for example, the burning ofpopcorn or oil in the kettle. For example, once the kettle 18 is loadedwith oil and corn, the master switch 90 turned on, and the timer startswitch 71 energized, the complete cooking and dump cycle takes placeautomatically. Once the last kettle return is started, the buzzeraudibly notifies the operator that cooking and dumping is completed,whether or not the operator is present at the popper at that time, or isbusy with other responsibilities.

The kettle 18 is dumped twice, thereby ensuring a full dump of popcorninto the cabinet of the popper and thereafter the kettle remains heated(it can be thermostatically controlled), awaiting a new popping cycle.When the operator returns to the popper, it is only necessary for him toload the popper with oil and popcorn and to again manually operate thetimer start switch 71, at which time a complete new cooking and dumpcycle is initiated. It is not necessary for the operator to remain atthe machine to ensure that the popcorn is not burnt. Accordingly, it isnot necessary for the operator to feel that he must wait until he cangive his undivided attention to the popping and dumping cycle in orderto initiate the production of further popcorn. After he loads the kettleand pushes the timer start switch 71, he is free to again attend toother duties and may return to the popper 10 at his leisure, even aftera complete cooking and dump cycle is completed. Accordingly, overallproduction rate can be increased, since there are no delays awaiting theoperator's constant attention to the popping cycle.

It will be appreciated that a number of switches and circuitry are usedwhich are not pertinent to the present invention. For example, thepopper 10 can be provided with warmers, warming lights or otherdecorative lights. It can be provided with a heat lamp or a warming fanand with switches and thermostats for operating kettle heat and foroperating the motor for the stirrer rotor. None of these or theirfunctions constitute a part of the invention.

It will also be appreciated that while an audible signal such as abuzzer is utilized to inform the operator that the cooking and dumpcycle has been completed, it is not necessary for him to immediatelyreturn to the popper, yet the audible signal will continue to alert theoperator that the popper 10 is ready to be loaded for another poppingand dump cycle, until the operator manually pushes or opens switch 113.Accordingly, the popping of popcorn in consecutive batches isfacilitated without requiring the constant attention of an operator, theonly manual control required being the loading of the kettle with oiland popcorn and the actuation of the timer start switch 7. It will alsobe appreciated, of course, that the loading of oil and popcorn into thekettle could itself be automated upon the actuation, or in response tothe actuation, of a cycle switch or time start switch. The timer couldbe programmed to allow for load time. Even where this alternative isutilized, it is not necessary for the operator to dedicate his constantattention to the popper as the popcorn will be popped and then dumpedautomatically.

These and other alternatives and modifications will be readilyappreciated from the foregoing description by one of ordinary skill inthe art without departing from the scope of this invention and theapplicant intends to be bound only by the claims appended hereto:

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of popping popcorn including the stepsof:heating popcorn in a tiltable kettle in a popping position to popsaid popcorn; operating a motor operatively coupled to said kettle totilt said kettle to a dump position to dump popcorn therefrom; andthereafter operating the motor such that the motor drives the kettlefrom its dump position back to said popping position.
 2. A method as inclaim 1 including the steps of:operating said motor to partially returnsaid kettle toward a corn popping position; again operating said motorand tilting said kettle a second time to dump popcorn therefrom; andoperating said motor and thereby fully returning said kettle, throughoperation of said motor, to said corn popping position.
 3. A method ofpopping popcorn in a kettle which is tiltable to a dump position fordumping popped popcorn therefrom, said method comprising the stepsof:cooking popcorn in said kettle in a pop position and popping saidcorn; and operating a tilt motor interconnected to said kettle to tiltsaid kettle about a tilt axis from a pop position to a dump position anddump popped popcorn therefrom, and the operating said motor to drive andreturn said kettle to said pop position.
 4. A method as in claim 3including automatically initiating operation of said tilt motor after apresent time duration for popping said popcorn.
 5. A method as in claim4 including operating said tilt motor to dump said kettle twice aftereach present time duration.
 6. A method as in claim 4 includingoperating an audible signal, during completion of said second kettledump to indicate completion of dumping of popped corn.
 7. A method as inclaim 5 wherein the step of dumping said kettle twice includes after afirst dump, partially returning said kettle, then dumping said kettleagain, then fully returning said kettle to a corn popping position.
 8. Amethod as in claim 3 wherein said kettle is mounted in a cabinet andincluding the step of removing said kettle from said cabinet forcleaning and including:partially tilting said kettle to a positionbetween a popping position and a dumping position for disconnecting saidkettle from said tilt motor; pushing said kettle along said tilt axis todisconnect said kettle from said tilt motor; and removing said kettlefrom said cabinet.
 9. A method as in claim 3 including the stepsof:operating said tilt motor for a first dump interval; pausing for afirst dwell interval; operating said tilt motor in an opposite directionfor a first return interval to return said kettle toward a poppingposition; pausing for a second pause interval; operating said tilt motorfor a second dump interval; pausing for a third dwell interval; andoperating said tilt motor in an opposite direction for a second returninterval to return said kettle to a popping position.
 10. A method ofpopping popcorn in a tiltable kettle mounted in a cabinet including thesteps of:heating the kettle to a temperature for popping popcorn whensaid kettle is in a pop position; loading the kettle with popcorn andcooking oil; initiating a timer beginning a cooking cycle for apredetermined time; starting a tilt motor, in response to said timer atthe end of said predetermined time, and tilting said kettle from a popposition to a dump position to dump popped corn into said cabinet; andthereafter operating said tilt motor in an opposite direction to driveand return said kettle from a dump position to said pop position.
 11. Amethod as in claim 10 wherein said tilt motor is automatically operatedto tilt and to return in response to said timer signalling the end ofsaid predetermined time.
 12. A method as in claim 11 includinginitiating an audible signal during the return motion of said kettle toa cooking position.